The 2012 Lindeman’s Bin 50 Shiraz is sourced from multiple vineyards in South Eastern Australia. Lindeman’s has been making wine for 170 years and is currently owned by Treasury Wine Estates, who also produce Beringer Vineyards, Chateau Ste Jean, Stags’ Leap, Penfold’s as well as 50 others. The Bin 50 is aged with some sort of American oak to give the Shiraz a sweet oak spice edge. The 2012 vintage in Australia just might be the best vintage in 20 years, if you are looking for a bottle of inexpensive Australian wine, grab the 2012. I found this Shiraz selling on sale for $4.99 and usually it is found in the $7 range. The alcohol content is 13.5%.
The color is a rich deep burgundy red with black highlights. The nose is plum, baking chocolate brownies, spearmint gum and raspberry. This is a soft, easy going Shiraz, with full flavor, a bit of body and a nice brush of spice at the mid palate. It tastes of ripe blackberry and plum, along with Snickers chocolate and blueberries in cream. The mid palate shows some tart cranberry and a slap of slightly sweet Altoid’s spice. The tannins are soft, the acidity is hidden in the mix and the finish is full and of decent length.
I was interested in sampling the Lindeman’s Bin 50 Shiraz, because the Lindeman’s Bin 65 Chardonnay is my stealth go-to Chardonnay, it is a 5 or 6 buck Chardonnay that is satisfying year after year. The Bin 50 Shiraz isn’t as bold or as exciting as some Aussie Shiraz, but when you factor in that it cost 50% to 75% less than those wines, it more than holds its own. It has tasty flavors and enough body to hold up to grilled meats and would be right at home with a pepperoni deep dish pizza. Or, just pour a glass on a wednesday night, this is an inexpensive Red wine that drinks very nicely.
